Manchester City closing in on Marc Guehi to shore up an injury-hit defence. If the move goes through, bookmakers may shorten Man City’s odds for clean sheets and favour under 2.5 goals markets; punters backing City to win may also see marginally lower payouts as the defence strengthens.
Etihad Transfer Round-Up: City Target Guehi to Fix Defensive Woes
Manchester City have been busy in the transfer market and are reported to be pursuing Marc Guehi to bolster a backline currently stretched by injuries. Should Guehi arrive, he would be the club’s 14th signing since January 2025 — a clear signal that Pep Guardiola wants immediate reinforcements at centre-back.
Why Guehi Makes Sense for City
A new centre-back would provide immediate cover given multiple senior defenders are sidelined. The addition of a proven international centre-back would reduce selection strain and allow Guardiola to rotate with greater confidence in Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
How City’s Recent Signings Have Performed
Goalkeeping: Donnarumma and the New Arrival
Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived last summer and has made an immediate impact, conceding just 10 goals in 23 appearances and ranking highly for goals prevented, according to Opta. Another goalkeeper signed earlier has been the understudy and saw his prospects change quickly after Donnarumma’s arrival.
Defensive Profiles: Khusanov and Aït-Nouri
Khusanov’s debut was rocky — an early error and a booking — but he has remained in the squad and accumulated 23 appearances across competitions, sometimes filling in at right-back. Aï̈t-Nouri, signed from Wolves, has struggled for consistent minutes this season, with only nine appearances amid fitness setbacks.
Midfield and Defensive Midfield: González and Partners
González has been one of the season’s success stories, amassing plenty of appearances since arriving from FC Porto and stepping into a midfield role when others were absent through injury. His consistency has helped steady the middle of the park and offered Guardiola tactical flexibility.
Creative Sparks: Cherki and Savinho
Rayan Cherki has shown clear flair — his inventive assist drew plaudits for technique — and remains a valuable option off the bench. Savinho, recruited from City’s affiliate club, has contributed regularly, adding goals and assists across his appearances and proving adept in transition play.
Front Line: Semenyo and Marmoush
Semenyo enjoyed a dream start at the Etihad with goals in early cup games and has begun to establish himself. Marmoush, a big-money signing, has shown moments of quality and won a Goal of the Season award previously, but this campaign has been disrupted by a knee problem and a loan spell that limited his impact.
What This Means for Guardiola’s Options
Reinforcing the defence is the immediate priority. Adding a reliable centre-back like Guehi would let Guardiola manage minutes more conservatively, protect key players for decisive fixtures and potentially switch tactical setups without leaving the backline exposed.
Betting Implications and Market Moves
A confirmed defensive signing tends to nudge markets towards fewer-goals outcomes and cleaner defensive stats for the team. Punters should watch bookmaker lines closely: clean-sheet and under 2.5 goals markets are most likely to react, while outright win odds may shorten slightly as defensive depth improves.
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Marc Guéhi would be Man City's 14th signing since the start of last January, with over €500m spent in transfer fees. It makes for a sensational new-signing XI.
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